Learn how long you can work in France after graduation, the visa rules, and how realistic settling there is for Indian students.
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After completing a master's degree or higher in France, you can stay and work for 12 months on the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) temporary residence permit. This permit gives you full work rights while you look for a job related to your degree. The 12-month period is non-renewable, so plan your job search carefully.
If you find a job during this time, you can convert your APS permit into a work residence permit. The job must pay at least 1.5 times the French minimum wage to qualify.
After the APS period, you can apply for a Talent Passport or a standard work permit. If you live legally in France for five years, you can apply for long-term residence. However, French language skills become important at this stage, so learning French beyond basic levels is necessary for long-term settlement.
While studying, you can work up to 964 hours per year, which is about 20 hours per week. You will be paid at the French minimum wage. This part-time work can help cover some living costs but is unlikely to cover tuition or full living expenses.
Indian students must first create a Campus France 'Études en France' account and apply to up to seven institutions through this platform. The main intake is in September, with applications open from October to March. There is also a limited January intake.
After receiving offers, you attend a Campus France interview about your course choice, funding, and plans. This interview is compulsory and must be cleared before applying for the visa.
Visa processing takes 3 to 6 weeks after the Campus France interview. The visa you apply for is the VLS-TS Étudiant (long-stay student visa), costing between ₹5,000 and ₹10,000 plus the Campus France fee.
On arrival in France, you must validate your visa online within 3 months through the OFII process. Missing this step invalidates your stay.
| Expense | Cost (₹) | Cost (€) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Public University Bachelor's) | ₹2.7L / year | €2,770 / year |
| Tuition (Public University Master's) | ₹3.6L / year | €3,770 / year |
| Tuition (Grandes Écoles) | ₹14L – ₹29L / year | €15,000 – €30,000 / year |
| Living Costs (Paris) | ₹1.1L – ₹1.4L / month | €1,100 – €1,500 / month |
| Living Costs (Other Cities) | ₹72,000 – ₹1L / month | €750 – €1,050 / month |
| Campus France Procedure Fee | ₹15,000 approx. | — |
| Visa Fee | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 | €50 – €99 |
| OFII Validation Fee | ₹6,000 – ₹19,000 | €60 – €200 |
You must show proof of funds of about ₹59,000 per month (roughly ₹7.1L per year) to get your visa. This includes tuition, living costs, and other expenses. France offers free health insurance for students and housing aid (CAF) that can reduce rent by ₹10,000 to ₹19,000 per month if you apply as soon as you have a lease.
France suits students who want affordable tuition at public universities, especially for master's degrees, and who can manage a 12-month job search period after graduation. It is ideal if you are willing to learn French to improve your chances of finding work and settling long term.
If you want a longer post-study work period or immediate permanent residency options, France may not be the best fit. Grandes Écoles offer more expensive tuition but may have different career outcomes.
Indian students can apply for the Charpak Scholarship, which covers tuition, a monthly stipend, visa fee waiver, and free health cover for master's and exchange programmes. Another option is the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, which pays about ₹1.1L per month plus travel and insurance for master's and PhD students, but you must be nominated by your institution.
For a full breakdown of studying in France, including courses, universities, and detailed visa steps, visit our France country guide. Official sources you can check include:
If you plan to study a master's or higher in France, prepare for a 12-month post-study work permit and learn French to improve job chances. Start your Campus France application 6 to 10 months before your intake, budget for tuition and living costs, and apply for housing aid early. Check official sites for updates and detailed steps.
You can work for 12 months on the APS temporary residence permit after your master's degree. This permit is non-renewable.
Yes, you can work up to 964 hours per year (about 20 hours per week) at the French minimum wage.
French is not required for English-taught programmes, but part-time work, internships, and job searching are much harder without at least B1–B2 level French.
The job you find must pay at least 1.5 times the French minimum wage to qualify for a work residence permit.
Yes, every Indian applicant must clear the Campus France interview before applying for a student visa.
You must show proof of funds of about ₹59,000 per month (roughly ₹7.1L per year) to cover tuition and living expenses.
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